From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4@msn.com)
Date: Thu Dec 12 2002 - 13:32:03 PST
----- Original Message -----
From: newsletter@newscientist.com
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 11:48 AM
Subject: New Scientist newsletter 12 December 2002
NewScientist.com newsletter, 11 December 2002
Welcome to the New Scientist newsletter, which this
week features a superior Chardonnay, five unfortunate sheep and an
artificial-intelligence-based gambling aid that could be bad news
for bookies...
The New Scientist newsletter is now available in HTML format. If you
would prefer to receive an HTML version of the newsletter, please
visit
http://www.prq0.com/quickstart/survey.asp?e=XbcajfijDE-RaA&oid=UcjjbCB
EDITOR'S CHOICE:
Safe bets
When it comes to gambling, humans are all too fallible. But
Australians seeking hot tips for the bookies can now consult a
machine. Alan McCabe, an IT researcher at James Cook University, has
developed a software-based results tipster. McCabe's Artificially
Intelligent Tipster - MAIT for short - is designed for Australian
Rugby League, but could just as easily be adapted for soccer,
baseball or cricket. MAIT is currently outperforming human tipsters,
by getting more than 66 per cent of its predictions right.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993172
TOP STORIES:
Salvage plan for leaking oil tanker
A plan to retrieve the crude oil in the sunken Prestige using a
remotely operated drill and pump is being considered by the European
Commission
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993170
Earth's volcanism linked to meteorite impacts
Gigantic meteorites may punch straight through the crust and cause
massive lava surges that obliterate the crater, controversial new
work suggests
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993171
Fur flies over possum trapping
Wildlife campaigners are backing calls for the New Zealand
government to support an industry that turns the alien species into
coats and socks
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993169
Reversible male contraceptive deforms sperm
The drug could have advantages over experimental alternatives and be
available within a few years, says a UK team
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993161
New white wine has red's health benefits
The French Chardonnay is much richer in polyphenols than usual and
should have nearly all the antioxidant effect that some credit to
red wine
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993167
Porn-blocking software can let health sites through
Public internet filters should be set at the minimum to allow
maximum access to health information, say researchers - the increase
in lewd content is slight
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993165
Scientists exposed as sloppy reporters
A cunning statistical study reveals that many scientists do not read
the papers they cite as references in their published work
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993168
GPS may provide early earthquake warning
A new network of 250 Global Positioning System stations in
California could give rapid alerts of major tremors
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993157
Space station to increase inhabitants
Doubling up the Soyuz lifeboats in 2006 could double the number of
permanent residents allowed and permit far more scientific research
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993156
Giant European satellite destroyed
A suggested rescue using an untested "space-tug" is abandoned and
the communication satellite is ditched over the Pacific
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993164
AND FINALLY...
Spare a thought for five sheep featured in volume 33 of the journal
Applied Ergonomics. The sheep were dragged by their front legs over
no fewer than 400 different types of flooring. The motive? To see if
the arduous job of sheep-shearers could be made any easier. The
conclusion? This week's Feedback column reveals all ...
http://dev.newscientist.com/opinion/opfeedback.jsp?id=ns237399#25
THIS WEEK'S PRINT EDITION:
To subscribe to New Scientist magazine go to:
http://www.newscientist.com/subscribe/subs_home.jsp?source=default
FEATURES
The hunt for planet X
There are tantalising hints of another Earth out on the edge of our
Solar System. Are hundreds more just waiting to be found?
Bloodlust
A spider that drinks human blood? Don't worry, this assassin is on
our side
Breathing space
Five years ago, the world won a reprieve when a deadly Hong Kong flu
outbreak sputtered out before it could become a global pandemic.
What are we doing to ensure next time it's not the real thing?
The big O
Prehistoric plants and animals grew huge on it, we could live longer
thanks to it - and all we have to do is breathe it in. It's oxygen,
lots of it...
NEWS
Air pollution causes mutations
How the Mars valleys formed
Drug stops bugs hijacking enzyme
To subscribe to New Scientist magazine go to:
http://www.newscientist.com/subscribe/subs_home.jsp?source=nletter
******************** Message from our Sponsor *********************
LAUREATES OF THE 2002 ROLEX AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE
Established to foster a spirit of enterprise around the world, the
Rolex Awards provide visionary individuals with the means to turn
their ideas into reality. This year's winners are: Michel Andrč, a
French biologist developing an innovative system to prevent
collisions between whales and ships; Josč Mąrcio Ayres, a Brazilian
forest ecologist spearheading the establishment of protecting the
world's biggest rainforest corridor; Dave Irvine-Halliday, a
Canadian electrical engineer supplying inexpensive lighting systems
to developing countries; Lindy Rodwell, a South African zoologist
who is preserving cranes and their habitats throughout central and
southern Africa; and Gordon Sato, a retired American cellular and
molecular biologist who is helping the people of Eritrea establish
agriculture based on mangroves.
The Rolex Awards identify and assist individuals embarking on new
ventures or completing ongoing projects. Typically working outside
the mainstream, these pioneers often do not have access to
traditional funding sources.
To discover the Laureates, please visit
http://www.rolexawards.com/laureates/home2.html
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